BND vs BNDX: Head-to-Head Comparison
BND vs BNDX: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while Vanguard Total International Bond ETF charges 0.07%. BND holds 11,286 securities vs BNDX's 7,000. 5-year returns: -0.50% vs 0.80%.
Last updated: April 2026
Bond
Quick Verdict
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (10/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BND | BNDX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| AUM | $116.0B | $55.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.30% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 11,286 | 7,000 |
| 1-Year Return | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| 5-Year Return (Ann.) | -0.50% | 0.80% |
| 10-Year Return (Ann.) | 1.40% | 1.80% |
| Beta | 0.03 | 0.10 |
| P/E Ratio | N/A | N/A |
BND 5-year annualized return is -0.50% compared to BNDX's 0.80%. Over 10 years, BND returned 1.40% vs BNDX's 1.80%.
View data table
| Period | BND Return | BNDX Return |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| 1 Year | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| 3 Year | -1.80% | 1.00% |
| 5 Year | -0.50% | 0.80% |
| 10 Year | 1.40% | 1.80% |
Key Differences Between BND and BNDX
BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) is a u.s. intermediate-term bond fund managed by Vanguard. BND provides exposure to the entire U.S. investment-grade bond market, including government, corporate, and mortgage-backed bonds. Bonds generally provide stability and income to a portfolio, acting as a cushion when stocks decline. Beginners often add BND to their portfolio to reduce overall volatility and provide steady income, with the typical rule of thumb being to hold your age in bonds as a percentage of your portfolio.
BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) is a international bond fund managed by Vanguard. BNDX provides exposure to investment-grade bonds issued by governments and corporations outside the United States, with currency hedging to reduce exchange-rate risk. It holds thousands of bonds from developed and emerging markets around the world. For beginners, BNDX is a simple way to diversify a bond portfolio beyond U.S. borders while keeping volatility low.
The most notable differences are in fees (0.03% vs 0.07%), number of holdings (11,286 vs 7,000), and 5-year returns (-0.50% vs 0.80%).
BND vs BNDX multi-factor comparison: BND has a 0.03% expense ratio, -0.50% 5-year return, 11,286 holdings, 0.03 beta, and 4.30% yield. BNDX has 0.07% expense ratio, 0.80% 5-year return, 7,000 holdings, 0.10 beta, and 3.00% yield.
View data table
| Metric | BND | BNDX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| 5-Year Return | -0.50% | 0.80% |
| Holdings | 11,286 | 7,000 |
| Beta | 0.03 | 0.10 |
| Dividend Yield | 4.30% | 3.00% |
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Holdings Overlap Analysis
0%
Holdings Overlap
BND and BNDX share only 0% of their top holdings. These funds are quite different, making them complementary choices if you want broader market coverage.
BND and BNDX share 0% of their top holdings (low overlap). BND has 11,286 total holdings and BNDX has 7,000.
View data table
| Metric | BND | BNDX |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap | 0% | 0% |
| Unique Holdings | 100% | 100% |
| Total Holdings | 11,286 | 7,000 |
Cost Comparison Over Time
If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):
BND
Fee cost: $258
BNDX
Fee cost: $600
Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $342 on a $10,000 investment. BND saves you more in fees over time.
On a $10,000 investment over 20 years at 8% return, BND (0.03% fee) grows to $46,351 while BNDX (0.07% fee) grows to $46,009. The fee difference costs $342.
View data table
| Year | BND Value | BNDX Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | $14,673 | $14,646 |
| 10 | $21,529 | $21,450 |
| 15 | $31,590 | $31,415 |
| 20 | $46,351 | $46,009 |
Which One Should a Beginner Choose?
Choose BND if: You want conservative investors who want portfolio stability and predictable income, investors approaching or in retirement who need to reduce portfolio volatility, anyone building a balanced stock-and-bond portfolio. It's managed by Vanguard with an expense ratio of 0.03%.
Choose BNDX if: You want investors seeking global bond diversification beyond u.s. fixed income, portfolio builders who want reduced home-country bias in their bond allocation, conservative investors looking for low-volatility international exposure. It's managed by Vanguard with an expense ratio of 0.07%.
Can You Own Both BND and BNDX?
Absolutely! With only 0% overlap, BND and BNDX complement each other well. A simple portfolio might allocate 60% to one and 40% to the other, or you could pair them with a bond ETF like BND for a complete three-fund portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy BND or BNDX?▾
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (10/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals. However, both are solid options. BND is best for investors who want conservative investors who want portfolio stability and predictable income, while BNDX is better suited for investors seeking global bond diversification beyond u.s. fixed income.
What is the difference between BND and BNDX?▾
BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) tracks u.s. intermediate-term bond investments with 11,286 holdings and a 0.03% expense ratio. BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) focuses on international bond with 7,000 holdings at 0.07%. Their top holdings overlap by 0%.
Can I own both BND and BNDX?▾
Yes! With only 0% holdings overlap, BND and BNDX complement each other well. Owning both gives you broader diversification.